Dispenser case for (non-exposed adhesive) roll products

ABSTRACT

I believe my invention to be a new and useful product, worthy of consideration for a US patent. If it is not deemed by you to be new, it is at least of significant enough improvement upon existing design as to warrant protection by your office.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Please reference provisional patent application No. 60/437,114 dated Jan. 27, 2003, confirmation # 3168. This application claims benefit of this filing date.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED R&D

[0002] Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention was designed to fill a specific need for a more durable, simpler (easier to use), and more economical dispenser than is available to the general public. The problem with other dispensers of this type is that they break easily and are more difficult to assemble.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] My invention is a device by which a roll of self-stick (non-exposed adhesive) labels or similar product may be enclosed in a two-piece, snap together dispenser (case) and dispensed through a slot through the inner (base) and outer (cover) halves. This device is non-mechanical in nature (has no moving parts). My design is simpler than existing dispensers and is made fromaa different material (polypropylene co-polymer) and is therefore much less subject to impact or stress breakage than dispensers made from more brittle material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Please find enclosed two drawings. One is for the “base” (inner) half, and the other is for the “cover” or “lid” (outer) half. The two halves put together make the whole dispenser. The base was designed with a “female” or concave “bead” that “mates” with a corresponding “male” or convex “bead” on the cover half. There is also a raised circular on the inside middle of each half that engages the hollow core on the roll product. In this particular case, it was designed for a product with a core size of 0.750″ inside diameter. The thickness (0.720″) was designed specifically to take advantage of US Postal reg. # DMM #58, sec. C05.3.1 which gives the general definition of flat sized mail. (Would be a higher mailing rate if the halves were thicker). In practicality, there is no limit as to actual size of the dispenser. The dimensions can be customized for whatever product is being dispensed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] My invention consists of two halves which make up the whole. The outside diameter of the base, and the inside diameter of the cover are toleranced to achieve a 0.005″ clearance between the two mating wall surfaces. The inside diameter of the male bead on the cover, and the outside diameter of the bead on the base are toleranced to achieve a size for size equality (same size dimensionally). This is what gives the two halves their “snap” fit when assembled.

[0008] The material selection plays a significant part in the overall success of this item. Prior to this, similar items were made from materials that were too brittle and could not survive a fall from table top to floor intact, or in some cases, actually broke when trying to assemble the two halves together. The material selected was a polypropylene co-polymer of approximately 15 to 22 “melt-flow” and a “notched izod # of 1.5 to 2.2. This gives the dispenser a good “snap” feel when assembled, and good impact and stress resistance. The first prototypes of this item were machined from solid round stock using standard machining techniques on lathe and milling machines. This could be a method of manufacture, except for the fact that it would be cost-prohibitive. The preferred method of manufacture is plastic injection molding. This is a process whereby a mold is manufactured to produce one or more of the halves and is installed in a molding press which takes the plastic in pelletized form, melts it, squeezes the air and gas out of it, then injects it into the mold under high pressure. The parts are allowed toicool for a few seconds, then the mold opens, ejects the newly formed parts and then the process is repeated. 

I: What I (Gordon Bopp) claim as my invention is a new and not previously known to be patented or marketed device for holding a roll product and is able to dispense the product through a slot through the inner (base) and outer (cover) walls. II: I also claim that the concept and configuration of the idea of the dispenser is entirely my own and in no way has any other party or parties contributed to the content of this invention whatsoever. III: I also claim that the material of manufacture, namely a poly-propylene co-polymer of a particular “hardness” for this item is in entirety, my idea. IIII: I also claim that the tolerancing (engineering of fit) for this item is in entirety, my idea. V: I also claim that the method of manufacture for this item is in entirety, may idea. 